Isaiah57

Isaiah 57 contrasts the peaceful rest of the righteous, who are taken away from impending evil, with the severe condemnation of the wicked. The wicked are denounced for their rampant idolatry, child sacrifice, and unfaithfulness to God, despite His long-suffering. While their false gods and alliances will fail them, God promises to revive the humble and contrite, offering peace and healing. However, the chapter concludes by affirming that there is no peace for the wicked.

The Death of the Righteous

1
The righteous person perishes, and nobody gives it a thought. Godly men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous person is taken away from the evil yet to come. ​
2
Yes, those who live uprightly will have peace as they rest on their couches. ​

Israel’s Idolatry and Spiritual Adultery

3
"But you, you witches' children, come here, you spawn of adulterers and whores! ​
4
Whom are you making fun of? At whom are you laughing and sticking out your tongue? Aren't you rebellious children, just a brood of liars?
5
You go into heat among the oak trees, under every spreading tree. You kill the children in the valleys under the cracks in the rocks. ​
6
Your place is among the smooth stones in the vadi; these, these are what you deserve; you pour out drink offerings to them, you offer grain offerings to them. Should I calmly ignore these things? ​
7
You set up your bed on a high, lofty mountain; you also went up there to offer sacrifices.
8
Behind door and doorpost you set up your [lewd] memorial; then, far from me, you uncovered your bed, climbed up on it and opened it wide, made an agreement with some of them, whose bed you loved when you saw their hand beckoning. ​
9
You went to the king with scented oil; you added to your perfumes; you sent your envoys far away, even down to Sh'ol. ​
10
Though worn out by so much travel, you did not say, 'All hope is gone'; rather, finding your strength renewed, you did not grow weak.
11
Of whom have you been so afraid, so fearful that you lied? But me you don't remember, you don't give me a thought! I have held my peace so long that you no longer fear me. ​
12
I will expose your [so-called] 'righteousness'; and what you have done won't help you.
13
When you cry, will those [idols] you gathered rescue you? The wind will carry them all away, a puff of air will take them off. But whoever takes refuge in me will possess the land and inherit my holy mountain." ​

The Lord Promises Healing and Comfort

14
Then he will say, "Keep building! Keep building! Clear the way! Remove everything blocking my people's path!" ​
15
For thus says the High, Exalted One who lives forever, whose name is Holy: "I live in the high and holy place but also with the broken and humble, in order to revive the spirit of the humble and revive the hearts of the broken ones. ​
16
For I will not fight them forever or always nurse my anger; otherwise their spirits would faint before me, the creatures I myself have made. ​
17
It was because of their flagrant greed that I was angry and struck them; I hid myself and was angry, but they continued on their own rebellious way. ​
18
I have seen their ways, and I will heal them; I will lead them and give comfort to them and to those who mourn for them
19
I will create the right words: 'Shalom shalom to those far off and to those nearby!' says ADONAI; 'I will heal them!'" ​

No Peace for the Wicked

20
But the wicked are like the restless sea - unable to be still, its waters toss up mud and dirt. ​
21
There is no shalom, says my God, for the wicked. ​

Study Notes for Isaiah 57

Verse 1

This verse offers a theological explanation for the death of godly individuals: they are taken away by God to spare them from witnessing or enduring the impending judgment and suffering that awaits the nation.

Verse 2

The death of the righteous is portrayed not as a tragedy, but as an entrance into 'peace' and rest. They find security and repose, contrasting sharply with the turmoil facing the unfaithful.

Verse 3

The wicked are addressed using highly derogatory language ('sons of the sorceress'), characterizing the unfaithful community as spiritually illegitimate and steeped in forbidden magical practices and religious syncretism.

Verse 5

This verse explicitly condemns the practice of child sacrifice, often associated with the worship of Canaanite deities like Molech, performed in the 'valleys' (like the Valley of Ben Hinnom).

Verse 6

The 'smooth stones of the stream' refers to nature worship or litholatry, where river stones were often venerated as sacred dwelling places for various spirits or local deities, substituting them for Yahweh.

Verse 8

Setting up a 'remembrance' behind the doors contrasts with the command to write God's law on the doorposts (Deut 6:9). This implies secret household idolatry, using amulets or fertility symbols hidden from public view.

Verse 9

Going 'to the king with ointment' refers to seeking humiliating and costly political alliances with powerful foreign nations (like Assyria or Egypt) rather than trusting in God for protection. The 'debasement' is the resulting moral and national compromise.

Verse 11

God’s long-suffering silence and patience were misinterpreted by the people as indifference or lack of power, leading them to dismiss their covenant obligations and live without fear of divine judgment.

Verse 13

This verse summarizes the futility of idolatry and foreign alliances; those who trust in Yahweh will inherit the land and dwell securely, while the idols and allies will be carried away like 'vanity' (breath/wind).

Verse 14

This command anticipates the return from exile. The people are commanded to prepare the path, removing all obstacles ('stumblingblocks') that might hinder the return of the faithful remnant.

Verse 15

This is a profound statement on God's dual nature: He is transcendent ('high and lofty,' inhabiting eternity), yet immanent, choosing to dwell with and revive those who are 'contrite and humble in spirit.'

Verse 16

God limits His wrath out of mercy. If His judgment were perpetual, the created 'spirit' (life breath) and 'souls' He made would be completely destroyed, violating His commitment to life.

Verse 17

The specific sin that incurred God's wrath is identified as 'covetousness' (or unjust gain), indicating that the people’s idolatry was often tied to material greed and social injustice.

Verse 19

The phrase 'I create the fruit of the lips' means God is the source of the message of reconciliation and peace itself. This peace is offered universally, both to the Jewish exiles ('near') and potentially to the Gentiles ('far off').

Verse 20

In stark contrast to the rest promised to the righteous (v. 2), the wicked are compared to a constantly agitated sea, unable to find rest, always churning up destructive 'mire and dirt.'

Verse 21

This verse serves as a powerful conclusion, echoing the warning from earlier chapters (cf. 48:22). True peace (Shalom) is not merely the absence of conflict but covenantal well-being, which is impossible outside of a relationship with God.

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